Thoughtless or sinful actions so easily create a rift between us and those Jesus commands us to love. Reconciliation is so awkward. We hate to admit our own sinfulness. We hate to admit our own stupidity. We hate to make the first move.
Jacob can give us courage at times like these. He alienated Esau by being a liar and a crook, and now it was time to be reconciled. For him it was not just embarrassment that kept him from taking the first step – Esau was coming at him with four hundred warriors. There was a good chance that death would be the outcome of this reconciliation attempt! He had more to worry about than personal prestige or honor.
To take the first step in reconciliation takes courage, bravery, strength, and character. For Jacob it took more. He had to be willing to abandon his life in order to obey the Lord and be reconciled.
Let each of us, today, be as willing as Jacob to set aside everything for reconciliation.
